Evidence vs ex-Tawi-Tawi governor strong — Sandiganbayan

MANILA, Philippines — The evidence presented against former Tawi-Tawi governor Sadikul Sahali, who was charged with graft and malversation of public funds in connection with the fertilizer fund scam, is strong enough to warrant his conviction, according to the Sandiganbayan.

“The court finds that the evidence... testimonial and documentary appear to be...  sufficient for conviction of the accused... unless successfully rebutted by defense evidence,” the anti-graft court’s second division said in a resolution promulgated on March 4 and released yesterday.

In filing the charges, the Office of the Ombudsman said Sahali conspired with two former officials and made it appear that the provincial government purchased P1.75 million worth of fertilizer and insecticide in December 2004 from Meg Agrivet Supplies as part of the implementation of the Department of Agriculture’s Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Program. 

The ombudsman said no procurement and payment were made, adding that the supposed farm inputs were not distributed to intended beneficiaries.

Sahali, former provincial accountant Eldie Lemosnero and general services officer Al Bakri Pilihan facilitated the release of the P1.75 million “for their own personal use and benefit,” the ombudsman said.

The Sandiganbayan denied Sahali’s motion to file a demurrer to evidence, which would have allowed him to seek the dismissal of the cases without presenting his counter-defense.

The court said the prosecution presented ”voluminous documentary evidence” and ”relevant witnesses” to prove the allegations against Sahali and his co-accused.